Lyle and Erik Menendez also known as The Menendez brothers on the March the 11th, 1990 murdered their parents Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez with a shotgun. The same night around 12pm Lyle called 911 and said that somebody had killed his parents.

After their parent deaths, orphans started to spend more and more money, they bought new expensive automobiles and watches, every night they diner in the most expensive restaurants and that was suspicious to police. Erik told his psychiatrist and his girlfriend about the murders, after they broke up, girlfriend went to police and told them everything. Lyle and Erik were arrested soon after that, they were held separately and there was no bail.

Trial to Menendez brother was broadcasted by Court TV, public was very interested in the outcome of this trial and it became national sensation in America. They were tried during 1993, Erik’s defense lawyer Leslie Abramson alleged that thing that motivated brothers to murdering their parents was lifetime of abusing they caused them.

Leslie claimed that Jose was cruel perfectionist and pedophile who physically and sexually abused them, Kitty was allowing that kind of abuse and sometimes also abused them herself and therefore she was selfish, Leslie also said that she was an alcoholic and drug addict and mentally unstable woman. Her defense strategy was great besides one little thing, Lyle and Erik had previous criminal records that confirmed that abuse wasn’t the motive.

Both brothers were tried together but had different juries. First trial ended with both juries deadlocked. First trial was broadcasted and everybody knew what was going on unlike the second one where judge didn’t allow cameras in his courtroom.

In the second trial, defense argument that brothers were motivated by abuse of their parents was completely rejected by jury, prosecution and jurors were of the same opinion that brothers killed their parents so they could obtain their wealth. Both brothers were convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. For more defense strategies feel free to visit DUI lawyer denver.